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Field efficacy of Coliprotec® F4, live oral vaccine against post-weaning diarrhoea caused by F4-enterotoxigenic E. coli (F4-ETEC), in German pig farms

Nowadays, post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) remains a major cause of economic losses for the pig industry. PWD is mainly caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), with F4-ETEC being highly prevalent in Europe. Over the years, a number of preventive measures have been recommended to minimize the impact of PWD, including the use of antimicrobials. However, an increase in antimicrobial resistance among E. coli recovered from PWD cases has been recently reported. Coliprotec® F4 is a live non-pathogenic E. coli vaccine registered in Europe for active immunization of pigs against PWD caused by F4-ETEC that can be administered from 18 days of age as drench application or in drinking water. This study investigates the efficacy of Coliprotec® F4 against PWD caused by F4-ETEC in German pig farms.
Materials and Methods: Two separate studies were conducted in German pig farms with a history of PWD caused by F4-ETEC following GCP standards. Piglets of at least 18 days of age were randomly allocated to vaccinated or control (nonvaccinated)
groups. Coliprotec® F4 (Prevtec Microbia) was administered to piglets (vaccinated group) at weaning (at least 18 days of age) via drench application (Study A, n=343) or in drinking water via bowls (Study B, n=351). Tap water was administered instead to non-vaccinated piglets at the same time (Study A, n=354; Study B, n=358). Diarrhoea was investigated at individual pig level daily for 21 days post vaccination [Faecal score: 0 (normal), solid faeces; 1 (slight), soft faeces; 2 (mild), presence of liquid but more solid particles than liquid; 3 (moderate), more liquid than solid particles; 4 (severe), liquid, watery diarrhoea].
Results: Piglets vaccinated with Coliprotec® F4 showed a significant reduction of moderate to severe diarrhoea in the 21-day post vaccination period, independently of the mode of administration. In Study A, 3.8% of pigs vaccinated by drenching presented moderate to severe diarrhoea compared to 22.3% of pigs in the control group (p<0.001). Study B showed a significant reduction of moderate to severe diarrhoea in piglets vaccinated via bowls compared to the control group (4.9% and 11.5%, respectively; p=0.001). In both farms, F4-ETEC was confirmed as the cause of PWD in the
batch of pigs preceding the start of the study by PCR. No vaccine related adverse events were observed during the studies.
Conclusion: Coliprotec® F4 administered via drench application or drinking water reduced significantly the incidence of moderate to severe diarrhoea in pigs with PWD caused by F4-ETEC in commercial pig farms. Vaccination of piglets with Coliprotec® F4 should be considered as part of preventive programs for PWD.